Where to toast 2011 in the suburbs
If branching out is part of your New Year's resolution, get an early start by spending New Year's Eve at a new bar. With so many spots opening in 2010, there are plenty of ways and places to toast the start of 2011 no matter what kind of celebration you're looking for.
Buzz, 5831 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake, (815) 444-6889: A $45 package includes food and a well drink open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Charlie's, 122 S. York St., Elmhurst, (630) 768-9940: A $50 package includes well drinks, domestic bottles and Red Bull from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., plus appetizers from 9 to 10:30 p.m., a balloon drop, party favors, a champagne toast and coat check. DJs Mark E and Limit spin.
Friends. Music. Libations., 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-6000: The DJ-focused nightclub brings in DJ Rick Too Much Funk for a bash including a midnight balloon drop and champagne toast. Cover is $10 or you can get a $35 package with a well drink open bar and food from 8 to 11 p.m.
Hotshots Saloon, 53 W. Slade St., Palatine, (847) 468-7468: Starting at 5 p.m. you can feast on a $24.95 surf-and-turf dinner including an eight-ounce filet mignon, Alaskan crab and a glass of champagne.
Lit, 4448 E. New York St., Naperville, (630) 978-7548: General admission to the club's bash is $25 and includes appetizers and a champagne toast. If you want to splurge, $100 or $185 per couple gets you an open bar including gratuity from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., plus coat check and express entry. The party runs until 4 a.m.
Mad Mark's Pizza & Sports, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, (847) 397-3100: For $20 you'll get party favors, a balloon drop, a video countdown and a midnight champagne toast. A $59 VIP package includes a premium open bar from 8 to midnight and buffet from 8 to 10 p.m. Reservations are required if you want to get in before 9 p.m. The bar stays open until 3 a.m.
Park Avenue Wine Bar & Merchant, 205 Park Ave., Barrington, (847) 382-3900: Get your fill of bubbly with a five-course dinner with Laurent-Perrier champagne pairings for $130. The meal starts at 8 p.m. and includes lobster-and-chanterelle mushroom ravioli, wheat-crusted duck breast, roasted beef tenderloin and pistachio cake.
Preservation Bread & Wine, 513 S. Third St., Geneva, (630) 208-1588: A cocktail party starting at 6 p.m. includes a buffet, a wine raffle and a midnight toast. Admission is $40.
McGonigal's Pub, 105 S. Cook St., Barrington, (847) 277-7400: Chunky Monkey performs tunes from the '60s and '70s at the Irish bar's bash, which includes an all-night appetizer buffet, party favors, a midnight champagne toast and an open bar with wine, well drinks, drafts, and domestic and import bottles from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission is $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Don't want to worry about driving? If you live in Barrington, you can get a free limo ride home from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Rita's American Roadhouse, 1211A Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, (630) 515-1177: Doors open at 7 p.m. for a bash including party favors, a balloon drop, appetizers and $3 champagne. Tickets cost $20 in advance.
Sky, 1600 N. 16th St., Oak Brook, (630) 574-2582: The club is open from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. with DJs BFG and Frankie “Hollywood” Rodriguez spinning. You can get in for $20 or buy a $75 premium open bar package from 8 p.m. to midnight. Everyone gets dinner, party favors, a balloon drop and a midnight champagne toast.